Strategic Scheduling & Inventory Planner

Komatsu America Corp.; Ripley (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Komatsu America Corp. is seeking a Scheduling Planner to optimize parts planning across the distribution network in Ripley, TN.

The role focuses on improving availability, responsiveness, and service levels by leveraging planning systems, data, and cross-functional collaboration with Purchasing, Customer Care, Sales, Operations, Logistics, and suppliers. The Scheduling Planner reports to the Forecasting and Planning Manager and will monitor KPIs such as fill rate, inventory levels, and backorder

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Management, Logistics, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Business, or equivalent work experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in planning, inventory management, purchasing, supply chain execution, manufacturing, production planning, or related operations.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, judgment, and structured problem-solving to make sound planning decisions with imperfect information.
• Supplier management and follow-through skills, including the ability to resolve purchase order, receiving, fulfillment, and supplier performance issues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with working knowledge of SAP, inventory planning systems, or comparable enterprise planning tools.
• Customer-focused, results-driven, collaborative, and accountable, with the ability to prioritize business needs and follow through on commitments.
• Travel is minimal and based on business needs, training, supplier meetings, or company events. Travel for remote candidates may be up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Uses demand, forecast, inventory, supplier, and order data to make planning decisions that improve availability, responsiveness, predictability, and customer experience.
• Approves, releases, and manages purchase order requirements and planning system signals to support fill rate, service levels, and inventory productivity across the Parts network.
• Proactively manages move-in/move-out signals, expediting needs, firm future orders, and scheduled orders to minimize delays and maintain customer commitments.
• Applies structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to resolve supplier, receiving, order board, backorder, and stock-out issues and implement practical countermeasures.
• Monitors supplier performance and planning KPIs—including fill rate, inventory levels, past-due purchase orders, and backorder aging—to identify trends and provide clear, actionable recommendations.
• Builds shared accountability across Purchasing, Customer Care, Sales, Operations, Logistics, and suppliers by communicating priorities, constructively challenging assumptions, and aligning actions with customer and business outcomes.
• Recommends planning system parameter changes, adapts to evolving business needs, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Skills

Demand planning

Inventory management

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Excel

PowerPoint

SAP

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Management, Logistics, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Business, or equivalent work experience

Tools

SAP

Inventory planning systems

PowerPoint

Job description

Komatsu America Corp. is seeking a Scheduling Planner to optimize parts planning across the distribution network in Ripley, TN.

The role focuses on improving availability, responsiveness, and service levels by leveraging planning systems, data, and cross-functional collaboration with Purchasing, Customer Care, Sales, Operations, Logistics, and suppliers. The Scheduling Planner reports to the Forecasting and Planning Manager and will monitor KPIs such as fill rate, inventory levels, and backorder